Cast support



J. R. VASKO CAST SUPPORT April 7, 1942.

Filed March 27, 1941 Patented Apr. 7, 1942 UNITED STATES PAINT- QFFICE CAST SUPPORT,

John R. Vasko, Great Falls, Mont. Application March 27, 1941, Serial'No. 385,569

6 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in surgical devices and pertains particularly to a plaster cast boot and bumper.

In conditions where a plaster cast must be worn on the foot and ankle, it is diflicult for the wearer to walk properly and also to protect the foot from the weather. The foot of the wearer of the cast usually is not flat, thus making it necessary to use only the forepart of the foot in walking or to touch only the front of the cast to the ground and in addition, due to the weight of the cast, the wearer must be subjected to a certain amount ofshock incident to putting the foot down on the floor or the ground.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel support or bumper device designed to be attached or secured to a plaster cast in order to facilitate walking and the reduction of shock to the wearer of the cast to prevent the cast from becoming broken when the weight of the wearer is placed thereon or when the cast is stepped on.

The invention broadly contemplates the provision of a bumper body designed to be disposed beneath the foot of the wearer of the cast and having a, means associated therewith for securing it to the foot, such means preferably being in the form of a shoe or boot with which the bumper may be integrally connected or to which it may be attached in a suitable manner, the bumper having a portion which extends down under the arch of the foot or the shoe to which the bumper is attached to provide a lift for the heel and to enable the wearer to walk comfortably without slipping, the under or bottom side of the bumper being longitudinally rounded so that the movements of walking may be carried out freely and easily.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shoe of the character stated in which the builtdown portion is of rubber or other suitable shock absorbing material so that the wearer of the cast will be protected against the shock ordinarily accompanying the act of walking therein.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it being understood, however, that the invention is not to be considered as limited by the specific illustration or description but that such illustration and description constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of the cast boot or shoe embodying the present invention.

of Fig. 2.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, it will be seen that the cast supporting bumper is illustrated as being formed integral with a shoe or boot, the body or upper portion of which is indicated by the numeral I. Such shoe or boot maybe made of a suitable light-weight flexible material, preferably light duck canvas. However, it is to be understood that this is only a preferred manner of securing the supporting bumper to the footer to the cast, it being possible to provide the bumper with other means for securing it to the foot or to a shoe. The front part of the boot or shoe is open and the edges of the front are joined together by lacings 2 or in any other suitable manner.

The numeral 3 designates the sole portion of the shoe which is preferably of rubber throughout from heel to toe, and formed as an integral part of this sole or bottom part of the shoe is a longitudinally extending portion 4 which may be termed a bumper sole and which comprises a solid body of rubber, preferably of the consistency of crepe rubber or inner tube rubber. As stated, this is formed integral with the sole 3 and extends along the longitudinal center of the bottom of the shoe form just rearwardly of the toe to a point inwardly or forwardly of the heel, such fore and aft toe and heel points being indicated by the numerals 5 and 6.

The bumper sole is of transversely arcuate form, as shown in Fig. 3, and indicated at I, and it is also longitudinally arcuate, as indicated at 8, the arch being relatively flat from the toe end of the bumper sole to substantially the center of the arch where it then curves upwardly sharply to the heel point 6, as is clearly shown in Fig. 2. There is thus provided a convex walking surface which enables the wearer to rock the foot easily forwardly and rearwardly and the bumper sole provides an extra lift to the foot under the heel portion so as to provide the maximum of comfort for the wearer.

In the figures of the drawing, the numeral 9 designates the lower portion of a cast, showing how the shoe will completely enclose the same. It will thus be apparent that the present shoe not only gives protection against the weather but it also provides ahelp to the wearer of the cast in walking and in protecting the body against the shocks incident to the wearing of such a cast.

It will, of course, be understood that in making these shoes or boots, the same will be provided in several different sizes in order to fit casts of varying sizes.

It will be apparent that when the bumper device is secured beneath the foot of the wearer of the cast, the main or high portion of the bumper will be located just below the arch of the foot near the heel so that the heel of the foot will be raised and will be held in a position which will make it easy for the wearer of the cast to walk and he will be protected from jarring and the cast will be protected against breaking. It will also be apparent that where the bumper is formed as an integral part of a boot or shoe as shown, the foot of the wearer and the lower part of the cast will be well protected against the weather.

What is claimed is:

1. A foot supporting and cast protecting means, comprising a bumper body of resilient material designed to be positioned beneath the sole of the foot, the body having a length extending longitudinally of the foot, and means for securing said body to the foot, the body having its major height located beneath the arch of the foot, said body having a ground engaging portion having a longitudinally convex form and transversely convex.

2. The combination with a leg cast, of a boot or shoe formed to be worn over the cast and comprising an upper portion, and a sole portion having a central downwardly extending part providing a lift beneath the arch portion and the forward part of the heel.

3. A boot or shoe designed to be worn over a cast, comprising an upper portion, and a. sole portion having a central downwardly extending part providing a lift beneath the arch portion and the forward part of the heel, said lift being in the form of a rib extending longitudinally of the center of the bottom of the shoe and having its maximum height substantially directly beneath the arch of the shoe.

4. A shoe for use over a cast, comprising an upper, a sole portion, a rib-like body extending longitudinally of the center of the bottom of the sole from a point adjacent the toe to and terminating adjacent the forward part of the heel, said rib-like body being longitudinally downwardly arcuate and having its maximum height substantially directly beneath the arch of the shoe.

5. A shoe for use over a cast, comprising an upper, a sole portion, a rib-like body extending longitudinally of the center of the bottom of the sole from a point adjacent the toe to and terminating adjacent the forward part of the heel, said rib-like body being longitudinally downwardly arcuate and having its maximum height substantially directly beneath the arch of the shoe, said body being of resilient material.

6. A shoe for use over a cast, comprising an upper, a sole portion, a rib-like body extending longitudinally of the center of the bottom of the sole from a point adjacent the toe to and terminating adjacent the forward part of the heel, said rib-like body being longitudinally downwardly arcuate and having its maximum height substantially directly beneath the arch of the shoe, said body being transversely arcuate and being formed of resilient material such as rubber and the like.

JOHN R. VASKO. 

